The "ban" has been banned — now places are "alcohol-free".
A bylaw in the Queenstown Lakes district which will support a family-friendly environment has been refreshed in time for the summer season.
Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Alcohol-Free Areas in Public Places Bylaw 2018 was adopted by councillors at a public meeting in August and came into effect yesterday.
Council alcohol licensing manager Sian Swinney said, in a release earlier this week, the purpose of the bylaw was to reduce the potential for alcohol-related offensive behaviour and harm and to promote and improve community health and safety.
"We believe the refreshed bylaw is a positive step forward for our community. It will help create a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone, and we are committed to ensuring the bylaw is implemented smoothly," Ms Swinney said.
The bylaw prohibits the possession and consumption of alcohol in specific public areas on certain dates and times within the Queenstown Lakes District.
It also allows additional permanent and temporary alcohol-free periods to be established by council for other public places, dates and times, subject to meeting specific criteria.
The year-round alcohol-free times for Queenstown, Wānaka, Frankton, Arrowtown and Hāwea will continue in the bylaw, but the alcohol-free hours have changed to run from 6pm to 6am based on consultation feedback.
Specified public places in Queenstown and Wānaka will now be alcohol-free permanently on Christmas and Boxing Day, continuing through the December 27-January 6 timeframe.
The alcohol-free areas in Queenstown and Wānaka will now be from 6am on Christmas Day to 6am on January 6 the following year. Queenstown will also remain alcohol-free on Crate Day each year.
The reviewed bylaw has removed the Queenstown Winter Festival alcohol restrictions, as this was no longer an official event and police did not consider there was evidence of disorder due to public drinking to support a ban.
Valuable input from the community not only helped shape the bylaw but further updated the language used within the bylaw, with "alcohol-free" taking place of any previous mention of the word "ban", the council said in a release.
"It’s wonderful that our community came together to help shape these new alcohol restrictions laws. These bylaws reflect the values and concerns of our residents, and I’m thrilled to see us all working towards safer and more harmonious towns in our district that everyone can enjoy," Ms. Swinney said.
